MANAGER Karl Gormley insists in-form Worcester Raiders will take the West Midlands League Division One Cup “seriously” ahead of tonight’s mouth-watering quarter-final battle at Droitwich Spa (7.45pm).

Raiders extended their winning league record to 13 matches with a 3-0 victory at Newport Town on Saturday.

Their impressive streak since the start of September includes two triumphs over third-placed Spa as the city side aim to overhaul leaders Darlaston Town.

But Gormley said Raiders were just as determined to book their place in the semi-finals of a cup competition at Stourport’s Walshes Meadow.

“We were knocked out of the county cup (by Feckenham) which was a bit unexpected so we are going to take this competition as seriously as the league,” Gormley said.

“We need a cup final to keep the season going. There won’t be as much pressure but we will take it seriously.”

Gormley is preparing to ring the changes with George Corbett, Anthony Smith and Matt Andrews all likely to return to action.

“When we are swapping and changing things around it is not really affecting the team or the result as the players we are bringing in are as good as the players we are resting,” Gormley said.

“The squad we have got this year is stronger than we have ever had.

“We will be making a few changes and freshening things up just to keep everybody happy.”

Spa went down 3-2 at Walshes Meadow in October before losing 4-2 at Claines Lane last month.

Their joint-boss Mark Owen reckons Raiders are “favourites” to come out on top for a third time but feels his side will thrive as “underdogs”.

“Raiders are a good side with a very good striker in Richard Smith who is scoring a lot of goals,” Owen said.

“Sometimes you have got to hold your hands up and say at this stage they look a better side than us.

“On average I think we have got a lot younger side and we are playing catch-up in the league so we are going in as underdogs.

“To be honest throughout the season we have done better when we have not been the top side.”

Spa are without James Lemon due to his Worcester City duties while Dan Cottrill is a doubt with injury and Curtis Townley is unavailable.

Owen is looking forward to the derby showdown after his honeymoon clashed with the last encounter. “I was on the runway and we were delayed by 45 minutes so at half-time we were 1-0 up,” Owen said.

“But by the time I landed we had lost 4-2 so it was absolutely devastating. I was smiling on take-off and crying when I got to the airport in Lanzarote.

“There have been 11 goals in the past two games between us so hopefully it will be another goal-fest for the ones that come and watch.”